Mugabe refuses to step down, progress stalls

The only ruler Zimbabwe has seen since its independence from Britain in 1980 has refused to step down.

The 93-year-old Robert Mugabe is believed to be hard-lined in his negotiations with the military, the opposition, and envoys from the Southern Africa Development Community who met him on Friday in a bid to end the crisis that rocked Zimbabwe on Wednesday.

Sources privy to the information indicating that President Mugabe has refused to step down indicating that the action of the military was unconstitutional and illegal.

The nonagenarian ruler had been confined to his private home till early hours of Thursday morning when it was reported he left the heavy guarded residence to meet regional envoys and Sadc chairman who flew to the country in a move to help resolve the situation.

This came as African Union (AU) chairman Alpha Condé, the president of Guinea, warned that the continental body will not support a military coup in Zimbabwe and urged the parties involved in the crisis to use constitutional means to restore order.

It is believed that the Zimbabwean generals, together with the president and envoys from the neighboring countries are meeting in the capital Harare. Details of the ongoing negotiations were not made clear.

However, the head of the African Union Alpha Conde who is the president of Guinea warned that the AU will not support military coup or any unconstitutional means pin Zimbabwe and called on the parties involved to end the crisis using legitimate means.

Mugabe is understood to claim on the legality of his presidency until 2018 when the elections will be held.

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